NBA Summer League Debut for Ukrainian Basketball Player Shulha

Maksym Shulha’s First NBA Summer League Game

According to Главком: Maksym Shulha, a Ukrainian basketball player, made his NBA Summer League debut with the Golden State Warriors. The game took place in San Francisco against the Miami Heat, where Shulha logged 25 minutes on the court. He scored 6 points, making both of his two-point attempts but missing all three of his three-point shots. He also hit 2 out of 3 free throws, recorded 4 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 fouls, and 2 turnovers. Despite his efforts, the Warriors fell to the Heat with a final score of 85-95.

Notably, the Boston Celtics have declined to guarantee Shulha’s minimum contract for the 2026/27 season. This decision casts doubt on his future in the NBA, even as he continues to compete in the Summer League.

Schedule for the Second Round of European Qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA World Cup

Separately, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has released the schedule for the second stage of European qualifying for the 2027 World Cup. In Group I, which includes the Ukrainian national team, Spain currently leads with 5 wins and 1 loss. Ukraine sits in second place with 4 wins and 2 losses, tied with Montenegro, which has the same record.

The Group I match schedule is as follows:

• August 28, 2026:
  • Spain vs. Portugal
  • Ukraine vs. Greece
  • Georgia vs. Montenegro
• August 31, 2026:
  • Greece vs. Spain
  • Montenegro vs. Ukraine
  • Portugal vs. Georgia
• November 26, 2026:
  • Montenegro vs. Spain
  • Portugal vs. Ukraine
  • Greece vs. Georgia
• November 29, 2026:
  • Spain vs. Greece
  • Ukraine vs. Montenegro
  • Georgia vs. Portugal
• February 26, 2027:
  • Portugal vs. Spain
  • Greece vs. Ukraine
  • Montenegro vs. Georgia
• March 1, 2027:
  • Spain vs. Montenegro
  • Ukraine vs. Portugal
  • Georgia vs. Greece

According to the rules, the top three teams from Group I will earn spots in the final tournament of the 2027 World Cup, which will be held in Qatar.

Maksym Shulha’s NBA Summer League debut marks a significant milestone in his career, but the contract uncertainty with the Boston Celtics raises questions about his long-term prospects in the league. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian national basketball team continues its push for a spot in the 2027 World Cup finals, offering Ukrainian athletes a chance to showcase their skills on the global stage. The importance of the upcoming Group I games cannot be overstated, as strong performances could open new doors for Ukrainian basketball.